Trousers and skirt hanger



Oct. 30, 1962 w, VAN DUsEN 3,061,155

TROUSERS AND SKIRT HANGER Filed Nov. 14, 1960 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR. 4100967165 (V. W/VOUSEN Oct. 30, 1962 L. w. VAN DUSEN TROUSERSAND SKIRT HANGER INVENTOR. L4d/IQE/VC5 I44 I44/VDU5EA/ '5 ATTOP/VEVS lI/I I I,

O 6 m mm m. w 1 N ll/ r/ d IHEN\\\\\\\\ u #74714 f m 1 D w Wm mm I l lUnited States Patent O 3,061,155 TROUSERS AND SKIRT HANGER Laurence W.Van Dusen, Escondido, Calif., assignor to Mission Industries, Escondido,Calif., a corporation of California Filed Nov. 14, 1960, Ser. No. 69,22515 Claims. (Cl. 223-96) This invention relates to garment hangers andhas particular reference to a new and improved hanger for trousers andskirts.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application,Serial No. 703,599, filed December 18, 1957, now abandoned.

At the present time it is customary to hang trousers either by foldingthem transversely over the lower bar of a conventional coat hanger, orby suspending them upside down from the cuffs in any of several types ofhangers specifically designed for this purpose. None of these methodsand/or devices are entirely satisfactory, however. Folding the trouserswill often cause the creases to be removed or other undesirable creasesto be formed. The cuif-type hangers are extremely difficult to use inthat great dexterity is required to install and remove the trousers onor from the hangers. One of the principal objects of this invention is,therefore, to provide a novel garment hanger which is not subject to theabove and other disadvantages of those used heretofore.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cufftype trousershanger which is extremely easy to use in attaching trousers or skirts toor removing them from the hanger.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a trousers hangerwhich is adapted to support a pair of trousers in any one of severalways, i.e., in the inverted position, either directly from the cuffs orfrom a point immediately above the cuffs; in the upright position, i.e.,hanging from the waist; or in the more conventional folded position. I

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a noveltrousers and skirt hanger which is highly effective in use, yet which isadapted to be manufactured economically on a quantity basis.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention, it is believed,will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of apreferred embodiment thereof when read in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the device of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevation thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view, partly in section.

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view, partly in section, illustrating thegripping legs in the open position.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially o the line 5-5 ofFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-6 ofFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation of a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view thereof partly in horizontal section.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary, partial sectional view similar to FIGURE 8',but illustrating the gripping legs in the open position.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken substantially 0n the line Ill-14) ofFIGURE 7. 1

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 11-11 ofFIGURE 7.

3,061,155 Patented Oct. 30, 1962 ice FIGURE 12 is a sectional view takensubstantially on the line 12-12 of FIGURE 7.

Referring now to the drawings, the hanger illustrated therein includes apair of elongated gripping members or legs 10 and 11 each provided witha central bore 12, 13 extending from one end and terminating short ofthe, other end of each leg. The legs 10 and 11, preferably of Wood orplastic material, are generally cylindrical in shape, but are providedwith central reduced portions 14 and 15 respectively so that in thenormal, closed position the central portions of the legs are spacedapart to provide clearance for the trousers or skirt seams.

The legs 10 and 11 are each rotatably carried on one of a pair ofstraight portions 20 and 21 of a single. length of relatively heavysteel wire generally indicated 22. The portions 20 and 21 extend intothe respective bores 12 and 13, disassembly of the legs from the wireportions being prevented by means of a pair of pins 25 and 26, oneinserted partly through each of the legs into one of a pair of annulargrooves 28 and 29 formed in eachof the portions 20 and 21 adjacent theends thereof.

The wire portions 20 and 21 extend through a retainer block 3% which isprovided with a bore 31 for the portion 21 and a transverse groove orslot 32 for the portion 20. The portion 20 is secured to the block bymeans of a pin 33. These portions 20 and 21 then merge into upstandingOutWardIy divergent wire portions 35 and 36, respectively, which latterportions merge into the angularly inclined, convergent portions 38 and39 at the curved poitions 40 and 41. The hook member 45 is formed of aU-shaped portion of the wire 22, the two legs of the hook member merginginto the respective portions 38 and 39.

In use of the hanger, it is held in one hand with the trousers or skirtin the other. The portions 35 and 36, and 38 and 39, are squeezedtogether, by grasping these portions in one hand, most conveniently withone of the curved portions 40 and 41 placed centrally of the palm of thehand of the user. This squeezing action forces or spreads the portions20 and 21 and their associated legs 10 and 1-1 apart as shown in FIGURE4, the block 30 acting as a fulcrum in the embodiment shown, whereuponthe trousers or skirt are then easily placed therebetween in the desiredposition for hanging. Upon release of the squeezing pressure, thegarment is securely gripped and supported by the legs 10 and 11 due tothe resiliency of the wire 22. A preferred method for hanging trousersis illustrated by the phantom lines of FIGURE 1, wherein the trousersare gripped just above the cuffs. After installation of the garment, thehanger and garment assembly is simply hooked on a closet pole from thebook 45 in the customary manner.

From the above description it will be understood that the hanger isextremely easy to use, particularly inasmuch as the portions 35, 36, 38and 39 form a natural handle for the hand of the user, which handle isalso the operating means for opening and closing of the legs 10 and 11.

The hanger of the present invention is sufiiciently flexible in mannerof use that it can support trousers in several ways, as well assupporting a skirt or skirts. Trousers may be supported as shown ordirectly from the cufis, as well as by merely inserting the knee portionof the trousers between the leg members 10 and 11 and then folding thetrouser legs over one or the other of the leg members 10 and 11.Moreover, the trousers may be supported in the upright position bydoubling them over at the waist and then inserting the doubled-overportion between the leg members 10 and 11. Skirts are hung in the samemanner, i.e., by folding or doubling over the waist portion. Two or moreskirts or pairs of trousers may be supported on a single hanger ifdesired.

It will be observed that in the normal opening operation illustrated inFIGURE 4, the legs and 11 are spread apart primarily by a pivoting orhinging action of the portion 21 with respect to the block 30. It shouldbe pointed out, however, that this action is supplemented by an outwardbodily movement of the end of the portion within the block in the caseof relatively thick garments, the portion 20 being free to so move inthe slot 32.

A modified form of the invention is illustrated in FIG- URES 7-11 and isgenerally similar to that described above, including a clamping portioncomprising a pair of garment supporting members or legs 16a and 11a. Inthe form shown, the legs are molded of plastic and are virtuallyidentical with the exception of the interlock structure described below.The legs are each provided with relatively flat opposedgarment-contacting faces having mating serrated surfaces and 51. Eachleg also has a reinforcing rib 52, 53, the legs being slightly outwardlybowed to space apart the central portions thereof (see FIGURES 8 and 9),providing clearance for the trousers or skirt seams.

A handle portion is provided, formed by a pair of extensions 56 and 57integral with the respective legs 10a and 11a. The extension 56 isprovided with a ribbed side surface 58 and a pair of spaced, centralWebs 59. The extension 57 is also provided with a ribbed side surface69, and has a single control web 61 which fits into the space betweenthe webs S9 in a tongue and groove or interlock type of relationship.

Fulcrum means are provided adjacent one end of the clamping portion andas shown in the drawings, these means may include a transverse bead orrib 65 on the leg 11a and a mating slot 66 on the leg 10a, the rib andslot interlocking to provide a fulcrum for movement of the legs to theopen position shown in FIGURE 9.

Spring means are provided to act upon the clamping portion about saidfulcrum and as shown in the drawings, these means may include a singlelength of relatively heavy steel wire generally indicated 22aterminating in a pair of straight portions 20a and 21a. The portions 28aand 21a merge into upstanding, inwardly converging wire portions 35a and36a, respectively, which latter portions merge into angularly inclined,converging portions 36a and 39a. The hook member 45a is formed of aU-shaped portion of the wire 22a, the two legs of the hook membermerging into the respective portions 38a and 39a. The portion 20a andthe lower part of the portion 350: are received in a slot 70 formed inthe leg 1011 by means of a pair of spaced flange portions 71 and 72 andby an inclined plane or wall portion 73. The flange 71 terminates at 74,leaving an opening between the point 74 and the end of the slot 70 whichis formed by a front wall portion 75 of the extension 56. A flange 76extends outwardly from the wall portion 75 and terminates in aninwardlyturned shoulder 78 behind which is positioned the portion 35a.An identical slot 70a is provided in the leg 11a for the reception ofthe portion 21a and the lower part of the portion 36a.

Prior to assembly, the portions 20a, 35a, 38a and the portions 21a, 36a,39a, each line in one of a pair of parallel planes. That is, the portion20a is parallel to the portion 21a, the portion 35a is parallel at theportion 36a, and the portion 38a is parallel to the portion 39a. Inassembly of the device, the two plastic legs and associated extensionsare placed together in the position shown in FIGURE 8, and the endportions 20a and 21a are spaced apart (causing them to assume a slighttoed-in aspect with the free ends somewhat closer together than thepoints of connection with the respective portions 35a and 36a) to permitthem to straddle the legs. The end portions are then slipped into theslots 70 and 70a and the portions 35a and 36a are inserted into therespective openings between the flanges 7i and the shoulders 78,

whereupon the portions 35a and 36a are squeezed together to clear theshoulders 73 and the wire 22a is moved bodily toward the handle portionuntil the portions 35a and 36a meet the wall portions 75. The portions35a and 36a are then released and they spring out to the first assembledposition shown in the drawings. Preferably, although not essentially,the inclined plane portions 73 are provided with small protuberances 80against which the ends 81 and 82 of the wire 22a seat.

In the assembled position the Wire 22a is under tension and acts as a.spring to continuously urge the legs into generally parallel clampingrelationship. Thus, the ends 81 and 82 exert opposing inward forces uponthe inclined planes 73 at points on one side of the fulcrum, and theportions 35a and 36a exert opposing outward forces upon the flanges 76on the other, or handle side of the fulcrum. It should be pointed out,however, that the contact points of the portions 35a and 36a need not beon the handle side of the fulcrum, but can be on the same side as thecontact points of the ends 81 and 82 if desired.

The hanger of FIGURES 7-12 is used in essentially the same manner asthat of FIGURES l6, except that here the hanger is opened for insertionof the trousers or skirt by the application of squeezing force upon thehandle or extension 56 and 57. Here again, it will be understood that inuse, the legs are free to move apart in general parallel relationship sothat once the garment is clamped between the legs, the bead 78 separatesfrom the groove '79, and the tension of the wire member is transmittedevenly through the points of contact between the wire and the legs sothat the clamping force of the legs is applied over the entire lengthsthereof.

In addition to possessing the advantages described above, the hanger ofFEGURES 7-1-2 is of enhanced construction in that it comprises onlythree parts which are quickly and easily assembled without the use oftools or the necessity for skilled workmanship. The leg members aremaintained in the proper parallel relationship by means of the wire 22a,assisted by the interlock structures of the fulcrum and the extensions.The hanger structure is simple yet highly effective and it is extremelycompact in size, particularly in the lateral dimension so that it takesup little room in the closet.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I donot wish to be limited to the details set forth, but my invention is ofthe full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A clamp type garment hanger for pants, skirt and the like having ahorizontally extending clamping portion, a handle portion, a hookportion, fulcrum means adjacent one end of the clamping portion andspring means acting on said clamping portion about said fulcrum means;said clamping portion comprising a pair of horizontally elongatedgarment-supporting members having longitudinally extending opposed facesnormally in contact for at least a portion of their length; said handleportion including spaced elements connected to said members and havingportions extending beyond the fulcrum point adjacent the fulcrum end,said members extending in cantilever fashion from one end of the handleportion and being connected together by said spring means at the handleend, said spring means continuously urging said members about saidfulcrum means into generally parallel clamping relationship, and saidmembers being movable with respect to each other at the fulcrum point tomaintain general parallelism of said members when a garment is supportedthereon; said hook portion extending from the handle portion end andforming a point of support above the approximate horizontal midpoint ofsaid clamping portion, the spaced elements of said handle portionproviding a squeezing means adapted to be grasped by the hand to openthe garment-supporting members about said fulcrum means.

est- L 2. A garment hanger as defined in claim 1 wherein said handleportion, hook portion and spring means comprise a single length of bentwire.

3. A gar-ment hanger as defined in claim 1 wherein said fulcrum meanscomprises a block having a bore and a transverse slot therethrough, andsaid handle portion, hook portion and spring means comprise a singlelength of bent wire having a pair of end portions, one end portion ofsaid wire extending through said block bore and connected to one of saidgarment-supporting members and the other end portion of said wireextending through said transverse slot and connected to the other ofsaid garment-supporting members, said wire diverging from said endportions beyond the fulcrum block to form the spaced elements of saidhandle portion and then converging and bending to form said hookportion.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein the end portions of saidwire are inserted in longitudinal bores in the fulcrum ends of therespective garment-supporting members.

5. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said wire is bentupwardly and outwardly from the end portions to the rear of said fulcrumblock to form the diverging portion, is bent inwardly over the fulcrumend of the garment-supporting members to form the converging portion andthen terminates in a substantially U-shape at 7. The structure asdefined in claim 6 wherein the. handle portion comprises :a pair ofextensions of said garment supporting members.

8. The structure as defined in claim 7 wherein the fulcrum meanscomprises a pair of cooperating members, one on each of saidgarment-supporting members.

9. The structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said 4 fulcrum meanscomprises a raised bead on one of said garment supporting members and amating groove on the other garment supporting member.

10. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the fulcrum meanscomprises a pair of cooperating members, one on each of saidgarment-supporting members.

11. The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein the end portions of saidwire are normally parallel prior to assembly with saidgarment-supporting members, wherein the end portions merge intoupstanding portions, and wherein the wire is under tension whenassembled with said garment-supporting members, the ends of said endportions exerting opposing inward forces upon a wall of each slot, andthe upstanding portions exerting outward, opposing forces upon a Wall ofeach slot.

12. The structure of claim 7 wherein cooperating tongue and groovemembers are provided on said exten- SlOIlS.

13. The structure as defined in claim 11 wherein the upstanding portionsconverge toward the upper portions thereof, and wherein said upstandingportions converge into angularly inclined portions which converge intosaid hook portion.

14. The structure as defined in claim 9 wherein the end portions of saidwire are normally parallel prior to assembly with saidgarment-supporting members, wherein the end portions merge intoupstanding portions, and wherein the wire is under tens-ion whenassembled with said garment-supporting members, the ends of said endportions exerting opposing inward forces upon a wall of each slot, andthe upstanding portions exerting outward,

' opposing forces upon a wall of each slot.

15. The structure as defined in claim 14 wherein the upstanding portionsconverge toward the upper portions thereof, and wherein said upstandingportions converge into angularly inclined portions which converge intosaid hook portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D.183,640 Van Dusen Sept. 30, 1958 588,560 Evans Aug. 24, 1897 2,210,184Sitter Aug. 6, 1940 2,214,536 Nelson Sept. 10, 1940 2,413,798Strassburgh Jan. 7, 1947

